tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post876358684569861035..comments2023-04-07T10:27:50.934-05:00Comments on Xanboni: Coaching discountsAlexandrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04087069977867729538noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-87665726747082498982011-07-01T19:42:12.408-05:002011-07-01T19:42:12.408-05:00Just reinforces what great people so many of the c...Just reinforces what great people so many of the coaches are - they are really there for the kids and the sport, often to their own disadvantage. <br />(disclaimer - I am only a mom, I don't skate and I am definitely NOT a coach, just an admirer)anonymomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-52119496354379875472011-07-01T18:14:18.639-05:002011-07-01T18:14:18.639-05:00I know of many skaters at my facility who are on c...I know of many skaters at my facility who are on city scholarship, and hear lots of anecdotal tales of quite high level skaters getting huge help from coaches and other sponsors. Some famous ones are Rudy Galindo, Calla Urbanski and Rohene Ward to name just a few. There's a current well-known developmental coach whose own coach carried this person through years of training.Alexandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04087069977867729538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-15671652567034009842011-07-01T15:39:25.027-05:002011-07-01T15:39:25.027-05:00no I meant that anyone that meets certain criteri...no I meant that anyone that meets certain criteria gets rec classes at a discountanonymomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-24378961022807969302011-07-01T10:42:30.110-05:002011-07-01T10:42:30.110-05:00If this is the case, probably no skater ever gets ...If this is the case, probably no skater ever gets scholarship from the city, unless they have quota for each program. <br /><br />anyone heard of rink or club wide, need based assistance for skater training? from what I heard, subsidizing competition fees or discounting membership fees are more common with clubs, but those are not need based.jjane45https://www.blogger.com/profile/04668434574589453611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-49529853930862790032011-07-01T10:04:43.121-05:002011-07-01T10:04:43.121-05:00giggle (well run)
But its on the city's web si...giggle (well run)<br />But its on the city's web site because its for all the rec programs not just the rinkanonymomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-38794249730804540702011-07-01T09:47:38.617-05:002011-07-01T09:47:38.617-05:00Right. I should probably have made that "well...Right. I should probably have made that "well-run municipal rinks..."Alexandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04087069977867729538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-47943947453016317312011-07-01T09:34:49.666-05:002011-07-01T09:34:49.666-05:00"Most municipal rinks have posted scholarship..."Most municipal rinks have posted scholarship criteria"<br /><br />Where's ours? I've seen the application form, but the criteria is not in the policy page of the recreation guide. Wiki has been wanting this information for a while.AMShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00947333443042080187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-5799190843971434962011-07-01T06:20:19.221-05:002011-07-01T06:20:19.221-05:00Most municipal rinks have posted scholarship crite...Most municipal rinks have posted scholarship criteria (usually in the catalog), and it's generally keyed to established poverty levels or qualification for federal school lunch program. I don't know about private rinks. Kids for whom the choice is skating or food should get scholarships. Kids for whom the choice is skating or ballet should not.Alexandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04087069977867729538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-57648275535578259222011-06-30T23:36:53.485-05:002011-06-30T23:36:53.485-05:00Quote: ...Also, if a kid is getting a discount or ...Quote: ...Also, if a kid is getting a discount or being slipped into group lessons for free then it should not be broadcast. End quote.<br /><br />If the coach is subsidizing the skater personally, I agree it should not be publicized. But if the rink / club is subsidizing some skaters out of scholarship fund, I think such opportunities should be publicized. There should be clear, measurable selection criteria. No need to broadcast the list of recipients, but people have the right to inquire. JMO.jjane45https://www.blogger.com/profile/04668434574589453611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-22860132228283943272011-06-30T20:16:50.968-05:002011-06-30T20:16:50.968-05:00Wow what a discussion!
I totally agree with Skittl...Wow what a discussion!<br />I totally agree with Skittl. <br /><br />Also, if a kid is getting a discount or being slipped into group lessons for free then it should not be broadcast. It could really piss off people who are paying the full amount to be coached and they might take their business elsewhere. And you have to remember figure skating is a business just like any other. Coaches don’t coach just because they love skating so much - they do it for the money! If they can’t make a living coaching skating they get a different job that does pay. <br /><br />There are exceptions to this. <br /><br />There are coaches who volunteer their time to Special Olympics and similar programs. <br /><br />Mirai Nagasu’s family wasn’t rolling in dough when she was coming up the ranks. They said on the broadcast of Nationals a few years ago that whatever coach had free time would work with her because her family couldn’t always afford extra lessons. <br /><br />And there was my first coach, who after spotting a young boy in rental skates doing double jumps he learned on TV (no, he wasn’t Johnnie Wier) took him on as a student for free, gave him free ice time (coach also owned the rink) and even got him proper figure skates. Much to my coach’s disappointment, the boy stopped skating after about two months. The boy loved skating, but his family (which was near poverty) didn’t encourage it. <br /><br />Also, there are discounts in figure skating. Some rinks offer military and multiple child discounts for Learn To Skate and summer camp. There was even a Groupon the other day for San Diego Ice Arena: $89 for three one-hour private lessons, a $210 value. But usually to get a discount, weather you need one of would just like one, you have to ask. <br /><br />Also, I knew a junior level ice dancer whose family was struggling to make ends meet. I don't know if her coaches gave her a discount but the rink traded her ice time for her cleaning the rink at night. If you want it badly enough you will clean toilets to skate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-60452158975672985642011-06-30T07:38:52.431-05:002011-06-30T07:38:52.431-05:00anony-mom for the win. This is my point. It's ...anony-mom for the win. This is my point. It's not that you should never get a break from the coach, but that your coach should not be the first place you go for a subsidy. And frankly, there should be a societal solution, i.e. government support, for helping needy but talented kids not just for skating but for other sports, and music lessons, and good summer programs, and college.Alexandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04087069977867729538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-26003354449042189692011-06-29T18:26:27.928-05:002011-06-29T18:26:27.928-05:00But again the burden of helping struggling skaters...But again the burden of helping struggling skaters should not fall solely on the coaches, many of which are on very tight budgets themselves. There should be a fund at the rink for helping needy kids while protecting the coaching staff.anony-momnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-8666658441486664022011-06-29T17:09:49.315-05:002011-06-29T17:09:49.315-05:00All sports have costs inherent in them. If your c...All sports have costs inherent in them. If your child plays school sports you get a small break, but you as a parent are still responsible for cleats, shoes, socks, under armor, etc. Having had both a skater and football/basketball player at my house I know the pain of paying for both. Skating far outweighs any costs we have incurred for our football player, including personal training. My husband was laid off recently and it is dramatically impacting her ability to continue skating. I am hopeful she will soon be able to coach some lower level students and earn enough to pay for her lessons. I know this is life, but it is painful none the less. Our coach has been patient with me, but I don't know how long that will continue, he has to earn a living too.footballskatemomhttp://insanesportsmom.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-9702897087577482282011-06-29T16:56:00.940-05:002011-06-29T16:56:00.940-05:00To get back on topic of the coaching discount. IAN...To get back on topic of the coaching discount. IANAL but if a coach want to do that because a skater shows promise, then the coach and the parents should sign a contract with clauses for the family leaving the coach, a set period of time the contract is in force, and clauses related to bonus for the coach if the skater reaches a certain level by a certain date. In addition, the skater's parents should agree to a fixed amount of practice on the skater's part. Honestly, if the parents want to pay hardball, the coach should protect her/himself. <br /><br />Oh, and those girls with the zuca bags, chloe noel, or flavor of the month jacket--poseurs. What you wear won't make you a better skater.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-7968515042571128752011-06-29T16:36:57.758-05:002011-06-29T16:36:57.758-05:00ooh I like Anony-mom. OK Xan I will post with tha...ooh I like Anony-mom. OK Xan I will post with that from now on!anony-momnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-15296032574252303272011-06-29T16:09:32.900-05:002011-06-29T16:09:32.900-05:00Anony-mom - Without a discount my child could not ...Anony-mom - Without a discount my child could not skate regularly. Our coach knows our situation and offered it when I explained we would have to drop half her lessons. I can not wait to be able to give back that discount to her when my husband can return to work. My daughter loves skating, it is one of the few areas of challenge she has ever had. She loves her relationships at the rink and she loves her coach. We are incredibly grateful.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-25509467731443880212011-06-29T07:11:58.853-05:002011-06-29T07:11:58.853-05:00Anon, everyone should be reading this. Absolutely ...Anon, everyone should be reading this. Absolutely amazing discussion. Thanks everyone, so much, and keep it going!Alexandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04087069977867729538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-49372206671095567102011-06-28T23:51:21.613-05:002011-06-28T23:51:21.613-05:00Xan, hope the skating director reads your blog!!Xan, hope the skating director reads your blog!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-22379767978289864642011-06-28T23:49:23.570-05:002011-06-28T23:49:23.570-05:00After some of the NIMBY comments posted here if th...After some of the NIMBY comments posted here if there were so many donations that it proved cumbersome I would be inclined to declare victory and hold a party! but seriously the pro shop option might work. And of course fairness is very important in many things rink related, but that is the job of the Skating Director and why she can't have her own students at the rinkAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-80351050204063283382011-06-28T23:13:26.596-05:002011-06-28T23:13:26.596-05:00How do donations work with most rinks or clubs?
S...How do donations work with most rinks or clubs?<br /><br />Storing and distributing donated used skates may become cumbersome. Our local pro shop takes used skates for sale on consignment, maybe it's possible to designate the sales proceeds to the rink or club.<br /><br />Administering the donation is another issue. My rink holds annual costume / skates sale and charges a portion of the proceeds, depending on how that income in handled, maybe monetary donations can go into the same fund? <br /><br />The biggest issue is probably fairness in the awarding process once private donations are involved. Rink life is already dramatic as is!jjane45https://www.blogger.com/profile/04668434574589453611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-43643051884937871572011-06-28T20:44:14.099-05:002011-06-28T20:44:14.099-05:00My coworker pays $900 per season per child to belo...My coworker pays $900 per season per child to belong to the Travel Baseball Teams on the Pony League. This does not include equipment, and he regularly complains about "needing" to buy $300 bats, gloves, shoes, etc. He chronically insists that he outspends me on Skates, Coaching, Ice Time and Comp fees. For now, he's right. In a year or two, he could be wrong. He is always asking for donations, and I always say no. He has the benefit of selling popcorn and magazine crap "for the team." I don't buy in unless he gives me money for skates, and he never has. <br /><br />Youth Sports in general has a Money Barrier, and the new fad of "Pro or Nothing" doesn't help. It feels that no kid can just do something without the unspoken leaning towards "Pro League" or "Scholarship" or "Olympics," and that's kinda sad. Take a trip to Sports Authority, and cry for the kids who won't play a game without Mom and Dad investing hundreds in "needed" equipment. An Underarmor tee shirt alone is $40. Centrifugal Bumblepuppy, anyone? And after that kind of buy in, who wouldn't want or expect their kid to excel?<br /><br />Yes, it's unfair that should Stitch ever change his mind about trying for the Olympics (right now he says he's not interested) that door will be closed to him. But perhaps that's another of Skating's life lessons; If you aren't happy with what's in your own backyard, you won't be happy with anything. As the song goes; it's not having what you want, it's wanting what you've got. <br /><br />If you can't be happy with a few recreational comps, something's awry to begin with.Skate Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14099319126365762647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-58727406012433783622011-06-28T15:43:50.254-05:002011-06-28T15:43:50.254-05:00It would seem that there are lessons you could be ...It would seem that there are lessons you could be teaching your daughter that would be a lot more valuable than skating. Hopefully she will learn them somewhere else.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-5158890026594347662011-06-28T15:09:39.983-05:002011-06-28T15:09:39.983-05:00We are spending a few hundred dollar a month on ou...We are spending a few hundred dollar a month on our daughter's skating lesson. We are both professionals and can afford the lesson. And we never ask the coach for discount. We have the same coach for the last 2yrs. Whenever the lesson overruns, I always offer to pay for the extra time. I believe the coach should get compensated for all the hard work. <br /><br />As far as the "donation" is concerned, I really don't see it as a "need". I donate to charity organizations both local and oversea for years. It's true that "less fortunate" kids don't always get all the "wants". It's not just skating. The same holds true for private schools, piano lessons, etc. The list could run foreverAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-17057808875010472832011-06-28T14:10:53.901-05:002011-06-28T14:10:53.901-05:00I would love to be able to donate my old skates to...I would love to be able to donate my old skates to my rink! That's a fab idea! I'm an adult, but they would fit a teenager. <br /><br />And hey, to the people dissing the zuca brigade, I scrimped and saved for mine because while it's not a need (even a skating need), it was something I reeeeeally wanted, and it has been my best non-essential skating purchase. I don't have Chloe Noels (or Gees Active which are the in thing at my rink), but might have if they made them for fat people. Mainly because I've seen the kids wear them forever without them ripping, unlike my cheapo leggings. <br /><br />I struggle to afford skating. But it's the last thing I would give up because it makes me HAPPY. For my mental health, skating is a need.Turniphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12786065913398551779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-466093691926458332.post-44621642121366205032011-06-28T13:57:51.628-05:002011-06-28T13:57:51.628-05:00What does it pay for? On the recommendation of gro...What does it pay for? On the recommendation of group class coach and the demonstration of need, it is matching funds for once a week private or semiprivate coach and specialty classes. Should also be used to allow a need based discount for group classes. Would be great if people could donate used skates that kids have outgrown to the rink so that they could be used to help kids who can't afford good equipment. I agree that there is no need for competitions at the LTS levels (honestly I think that true even of the kids who can afford it but thats another story). The coaches will be able to tell by FS2/3 if there is a super talented kid who deserves a shot at competitions. Bet could also get businesses behind something like this - whole foods will often have a cause that they will ask you if you want to donate a dollar or two toward at checkout for example. Bet Rainbo might do that too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com